Team USA looking good going into individual play

Team USA started out the morning with head to head competition against their teammates in the BC2 and BC3 divisions. Labas and Oatis pulled out incredibly close 1 point ends on their own jacks to go into a 4-4 tie break situation. The tie break went down to the wire with Labas pulling out the win over his teammate Oatis. As the young rookie Labas had so intuitively suggested the night before competition "well at least we know we are going to get a win for Team USA". Labas went on to loose his 2nd match to Joao Paulo Fernandez in a very tight 2-3 match. Oatis battled hard in his second match as well keeping it to a 2 differential. Marck Harrison worked hard to block out Zhiqiang Yan of China who unfortunately kept moving Marck's balls that had been strategically placed. Marck played Pablo Sebastian Gonzales this morning giving up 2 points in the first end and only 1 point in ends 2-4. Marck continues to improve in blocking out his opponent and covering up. In the BC3 division, Hanson and Lobmeyer went head to head in what prove to be a repeat match of nationals. After the 3rd end it was tied 6-6. Hanson pulled out in the 4th end, placing his jack in the right short corner and scored 5 in the end giving him the win. In the BC 1 division TJ Hawker pulled out a win in the fourth end with the final 6-3 against Leena Sarela from Findland. Jennifer Jay fought hard to a 1-7 loss against Kam Lung Wong of Hong Kong. Patrick Elliott made his debut on the world stage with the entire Team USA squad looking on. As an unranked player he was forced to go head to head against Pinto Dirceu of Brazil. Patrick took away great strategy from the match and is looking forward winning against Domingos Vieira of Portugal. Stay tuned for future developments of today's individual competition!

Finals today onto individual competition!!

Patrick Elliott works hard preparing his jack ball shot under the watchful eye of his coach Mark McMillian. Patrick has been cheering on his teammates for the last several days as he awaits his individual competition tomorrow. Patrick is competing in the BC4 category. It has been over 10 years since Team USA has had a athlete compete in the BC4 division. We wish Patrick and all the athletes on team USA  the best of luck as they prepare for individual competition tomorrow!

 When it is all said and done it comes down to inches in this sport!! Pairs captain Austin Hanson watches as the referee checks the score against Belgium. Belgium and Portugal (both in the USA pool) went on to take the silver and bronze respectively in the World Championship today.

Many more pictures and information on the Blaze Sports America link http://www.blazesports.org/category/blog/

Team USA fights hard in todays team and pair competition!

Team started out the morning against number 1 seed Great Britian and had an unbelievable game holding the veteran players to 9-1.  Hawker, Labas and Oatis all contributed with many great blocks making it difficult for the veteran Great Britian team to score. Pairs players Hanson, Lobmeyer and Williams gave it their all against Belgium, Portugal and Argentina. Unfortunately they were unsuccessful in advancing out of pool. The team rests tomorrow and prepares as they look forward to individual play beginning Tuesday. Go Team USA!!

Team USA stops momentarily for a quick pic before the parade of athletes last night. They received many comments on their sharp looking red, white and blue! Results of todays team and pair competition to follow soon.

Training complete onto competition!

USA successfully completed all classification of their 4 new athletes. We then had a very successful mid day training schedule and rounded off the day with the parade of nations and opening ceremonies. The parade of athletes were escorted in by 3 Irish bagpipers. Veteran athlete Lee Lobmeyer carried the Team USA sign and flag bearer was Luke Labas of Fort Wayne. Pairs drew Portugal (2nd in world), Belgium (7th) and Argentina (19th). Their goal is to sweep all three games tomorrow and move out of pool into elimination rounds on Monday. Team drew Great Britain, Hong Kong and Brazil in pool play. We are attempting to load pictures to the blog, however due to internet connections have been unsuccessful. Stay tuned as we work to resolve these issues a send photographs!

Team USA preparing for competition in Belfast

The United States Boccia team has arrived safely to Belfast and are hitting the training courts in preparation for the World Cup. We want to let our families and friends know that we are all well and training hard!!
The 2011 World Cup is the last major international Boccia competition before the 2012 London Paralympic Games and has 191 athletes from 33 nations.

The 2011 National Boccia Team members are:

BC1 Division

TJ Hawker Toledo, OH

Luke Labas Fort Wayne, IN

Cornelius Oatis Columbus, OH

Jennifer Jay Pinellas, FL 

BC2 Division

Marck Harrison Columbus, OH

BC3 Division

Austin Hanson Topeka, KS

Lee Lobmeyer Topeka, KS

Sam Williams Elmhurst, IL

BC4 Division

Patrick Elliot Peculiar, MO

Team USA prepares to leave for World Cup

Team USA is packed and ready for Boccia!  Continue to watch this site for details as to how they are doing at the World Cup!